Mark McGwire, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. headline the first-time candidates on the 2007 baseball writersĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ Hall of Fame ballot released Monday, sure to spark debate on Big MacĂ˘â‚¬â„˘s place in history as the steroid era comes under renewed scrutiny.

Jose Canseco, whose book last year led to a congressional hearing on steroid use in baseball, also is on the ballot for the first time. Canseco said he used steroids along with McGwire when they were teammates.

McGwire finished his career with 583 home runs (http://www.srch-results.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=77&k=home%20runs), seventh in baseball history (http://www.srch-results.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=77&k=baseball%20history) while Canseco, a former MVP, is 30th at 462. Dave Kingman, 34th with 442, has the most home runs for a player who has been on the Hall of Fame ballot and was not elected.

Gwynn, an eight-time batting champion with San Diego, and Ripken, a two-time MVP with Baltimore, are considered likely to gain election on the first ballot. Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games, breaking Lou GehrigĂ˘â‚¬â„˘s record.